LISTEN: Did Hulk Hogan Call Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson The N-Word?

There are rumors swirling that Hulk Hogan called Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson the n-word and now Hogan has been removed from the WWE website. Is this true? In the above audio of an interview with Hogan, he can be heard using the n-word and that’s supposedly why he’s been removed from the WWE website. Above is the audio that was circulating as the news began to spread, but the Huffington Post reports this isn’t the audio that got him the WWE boot. Plus, wrestling writer Dave Meltzer has described the rant as “a rumor going round”. The real deal is that Hogan didn’t talk smack about The Rock and the real audio is a just-released audio transcript featuring him making racist slurs about his daughter Brooke’s dating life. In addition, according to Hogan, WWE didn’t exactly give him the axe. Hogan’s lawyer David Houston told People Magazine that Hogan resigned so that he wouldn’t have to put his family through the embarrassment and the ordeal of handling this situation. It sounds like Hogan may have pulled the trigger before the WWE could. Even so, the WWE states that they did indeed fire Hogan, saying:

WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (a.k.a. Hulk Hogan). WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds as demonstrated by the diversity of our employees, performers and fans worldwide.

So, what were the racist words that Hogan was caught saying on tape to Heather Clem, the wife of Hogan’s former friend Bubba “The Love Sponge,” with whom he was filmed having sex with in 2012? On the tape, Hogan stated:

I don’t know if Brooke was fucking the black guy’s son … I mean, I don’t have double standards. I mean, I am a racist, to a point, fucking n*ggers. But then when it comes to nice people and shit, and whatever … I mean, I’d rather if she was going to f*ck some n*gger, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n*gger worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player! I guess we’re all a little racist. Fucking n*gger.

Yikes. Now, even though Hogan’s racist rant was directed at his daughter Brooke and a love interest of hers, Brooke is still defending her dad, posting the below poem on Twitter:

~If You Knew My Father~
By Brooke Bollea
If you knew the dad I knew,
you’d know his tender heart.
He’d never want to hurt his fans,
or family from the start.
If you knew my father,
you would know how hard he fought…
and the way it brought a smile to people light, medium and dark.
We always fight a battle
that people never see,
and sometimes when you’re hurting, you don’t think logically.
Human isn’t perfect,
and perfect is not he,
but I can tell you one thing, it’s just not what it seems.
Cause If you knew the dad I knew,
you’d know he raised me well.
He taught me folks are so much more
than shades could ever tell.
And If you knew my father,
you would know he’s down to earth.
He may have slammed the giant,
but remembers life’s true worth.
If you knew my father,
if you just walked in his shoes…
then you would know that microscope that comes with yellow boots.
If you knew my father,
you would see your own in mine.
And if he was your father, you could never find divide.
Cause me- I bet your father
or someone that you love
Maybe regrets something
they wish they’d never done.
So if you know my father,
remember he’s a man,
and you would crave relief if people judged everything you did.
The lord says to forgive them,
don’t be the one to stone…
so please remember his strong arms when you were all alone.
The lives he’s changed, the friends he’s made,
the people he’s inspired…
It makes me sad to see my dad
defeated and so tired.
If you knew my father,
you would know just how he’s hurting…
For he loves every one of you, regardless of your story.
And if you met my father,
I know he’d give you love!
He’d lift you up, apologize and give you all a hug.
For those who think you know my father,
remember who you are.
We all can make mistakes and carry ugly scars.
Because I know my father,
I can promise this-
Just like you and I, things we don’t mean can sometimes slip.
We all continue learning.
This life can be so rough…
So if you know my father, please try not to be tough.
My father has a daughter,
and I have feelings too.

Hogan has responded to the entire situation via Twitter as well, posting the below tweet:

In the storm I release control,God and his Universe will sail me where he wants me to be,one love. HH

Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it … This is not who I am. I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or otherwise. I am disappointed with myself that I used language that is offensive and inconsistent with my own beliefs.

On WWE.com, Hogan is no longer listed on the WWE Hall of Fame page, and all of his merchandise has also been removed from WWEShop.com. The only thing currently remaining that mentions Hogan involves WWE’s upcoming Australian tour, which Hogan was scheduled to take part in as general manager. However, when any attempt to access this page is made, a message appears stating “you are not authorized to access this page.”

In the opinion of The Daily Beast, if the WWE removed Hogan over a racial issue, the news source believes the organization to be hypocritical, stating that:

It would be a bit hypocritical for the WWE to be offended by Hulk Hogan’s boneheaded comments when you consider that its CEO, Vince McMahon, once called wrestler John Cena the N-word right in front of Booker T, who then turned to his girlfriend and said, “Tell me he did not just say that.”

What do you think?

Currently, Hogan has been removed from the WWE website under the WWE Hall of Fame, WWE Tough Enough’s judges’ panel, and WWE alumni. In addition, Hogan is also awaiting trial for a $100 million personal lawsuit against a sex tape published by Gawker Media.